Iran is a Muslim-dominated nation, but the people are increasingly tired of the regime and its demand for a strictly conservative interpretation of the religion's requirements – especially since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in police custody after she was arrested for exposing some of her hair.
In recent months, more than 400 people have died in demonstrations, and another 20,000+ have been arrested.
"You've got girls even in grade school and certainly women in the streets now waving their hijabs like a flag of resistance," reports Dr. Rex Rogers of SAT-7 USA. "Now there are men joining the movement. There are other ethnicities joining the movement; they have had it. I think the most significant quote I've seen is a woman saying, 'We are beyond fear.'"
SAT-7 – whose mission is to provide the churches and Christians of the Middle East and North Africa an opportunity to witness to Jesus Christ through inspirational, informative, and educational television services – is broadcasting Bible teaching, worship, talk shows, and other Christian programs in countries such as Iran and Afghanistan.
"SAT-7 is not political, so we don't get on the air and openly call for regime change," Dr. Rogers notes. "But we do talk about biblical values and the respect for human beings made in the image of God, about freedom of religion and about freedom to live one's life as unto the Lord."
The broadcasts are in the language of Farsi in Iran and Darsi in Afghanistan. They present the gospel and bring encouragement and hope in the midst of turmoil. Meanwhile, Dr. Rogers says the Church continues to grow.
